Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens is a sunken public park in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland, occupying the valley of the former Nor' Loch beneath Edinburgh Castle and alongside Princes Street. The gardens are divided into East and West sections by the Mound and contain some of the city's best-known landmarks, including the Floral Clock, the Ross Bandstand and the Scott Monument. Visitors can walk along paths, relax on lawns and benches, and view the castle rock rising above the trees. The Floral Clock, planted each year with thousands of flowers, is one of the oldest of its kind. The Ross Bandstand hosts concerts and, at the end of the year, large events, while the gardens also host seasonal fairs and festival activities. Entry is free, and the gardens are open daily, with closing times that vary with daylight. A stroll through the gardens takes 30 minutes to an hour, though many visitors linger longer with a picnic. Spring and summer are the best seasons, when the flower beds are in bloom and the lawns are full of office workers and families, while autumn brings coloured foliage. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and sunny lunchtimes and weekend afternoons are the busiest. The best vantage points are the paths below the castle, which give views of the castle rock and the Old Town skyline, and the area near the Scott Monument for views across to the Princes Street shops. The Princes Street tram stop and several bus stops sit directly beside the gardens, and Waverley station is a short walk to the east. Cafes in the gardens provide refreshments, and public toilets are located in the park. Dogs are welcome on leads, and several paths are suited to buggies.